The Porticoes or Portici of Bologna are a Unesco World Heritage Site and measure in at 62km long, with 40km in city centre. They are made from wood, stone, blocks, bricks, elegantly painted, or just a plain colour, they are long (4km), narrow (95cm) and high (12.94m). They started out as a way to increase accommodation due to the new university in Bologna, lots were built in the 1300-1400s and the one we would walk is the most famous, starting at the Sanctuary of the Madonna of San Luca, high on the hill and finishing at Porta Saragozza at the walls of Bologna, its 4km long and is built with 666 arches! Devilish almost! We’d arrived the day before and had a bimble around to see what was what, looking at the weather the temperature would rise as the days went on and I figured 28 degrees was high enough to do this walk, so we set off around 11am well rested and full up with cornettos and pistachio cream! We would pass through the residential areas to the football stadium and then join the portico walk as it headed up the 300m hill, it took a bit to get up as we stopped to take photos (rest in the heat) and drink plenty of water. Arriving after 45 mins of climbing to a fantastic view across hilly green countryside, towards higher mountains, it was lovely. We headed into the church after noting a drinking water tap below to refill bottles, and spent a good hour admiring the stunning interior, we got lucky with our choice of time to visit the alter area, with the nuns closing the doors as we walked through, we were also sure to cover up inside these places in a respectful manner, others hadn’t and were told under no uncertain terms to cover shoulders quickly. This would be a trait of the holiday as we visited dozens of churches/basilicas, always carry a shawl of some type.

Heading back out into the sun we enjoyed a view of the exterior, filled our water bottles and started off down the Porticoes, ticking of the arch numbers as we went. Occasionally there would be an alcove, with a bible scene and description or a murial, all the time the views to the town were with us. Soon we reached the flat at Arco del Meloncello and followed the city elements towards Porta Saragozza, arriving there around 2.30pm. Perfect for a break for lunch and a rest of weary feet. The rest of the day I’ll save for another post as it involves a lot of the centre of Bologna, some fantastic buildings and gelato!